The Great Northern Railway leased 100 covered hoppers in 1965 from Retco Limited with the purpose of increasing its ability to haul grain throughout the Pacific Northwest. The cars had three internal compartments and were constructed out of aluminum. They measured 55' 1" long and were rated to carry up to 200,000 pounds. The cars were made the same year they were leased, 1965 and carried road number series 172000 to 172099. the Great Northern experienced it's greatest increase of grain in the 1960's.